Understanding sugar content is an important part of your diet

The Nutrition Facts label tells you the total amount of sugars in one serving of a product. However, added sugars are not listed separately on this panel.

To find out if a product contains added sugars, read the ingredients list on the food package. The items are presented in descending order from the ingredient with the highest content to the smallest amount.

To find sugar content, look for these key words: sugar, brown or raw sugar, invert sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, malt or maple syrup, fruit juice concentrates, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose.

Be aware that some products are low in fat but high in added sugars. To help control calorie intake, limit foods and beverages like candy and fruit drinks that are high in added sugars. Replace sweets and soft drinks with lower-calorie, nutrient-dense alternatives like vegetables, fruits, and smaller portions of 100 percent juices.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Study: Asthma is often misdiagnosed

Asthma affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and tens of millions of people in the United States alone. However, a new Canadian research suggests that a significant number of asthma cases may be falsely diagnosed.

Even though it is common, affecting millions, a new study published in JAMA suggests that the condition may be overdiagnosed. Researchers examined more than 600 patients and could not confirm the asthma diagnosis in 33 percent.

Researchers cited two possible causes for the diagnosis problems: one is that asthma tends to clear itself up spontaneously and another could simply be an initial misdiagnosis.

The researchers stressed the need to educate physicians and the public to get the diagnosis right in the first place. They also recommended that patients who have difficulty breathing should ask their doctor to order a breathing test — spirometry — to determine if they might have asthma or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Source: Medical News Today

Precautions with chemicals can make your home healthier

Your home may have more exposure to chemical products than you know, and they can be harmful your health if too much gets into your body. Becoming aware of potentially harmful substances and clearing them out can help keep you and your family healthy.

“There’s a range of chemicals that you can be exposed to in your home, generally at very low levels,” says Dr. Andrew Rooney, a toxicology and risk expert at NIH. Possible toxic substances can be found in building materials, cookware, cleaning products, shower curtains, furniture, carpet, and other common items.

Not all chemicals are harmful. In fact, most substances in our environment are likely safe. Often, it’s how much you’re exposed to that can make a chemical harmful. NIH-funded researchers are working to learn more about how chemicals in the environment can affect our health, so we can better address any issues.

Some safety precautions include cleaning with “safer choice” or non-toxic products, dusting using a damp rag, use a wet mop to clean floors, vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, opening a window or use a fan to improve air circulation when you’re cleaning, maintaining a good ventilation system in your home and washing your hands often.

Source: National Institutes of Health

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